Item 6 President's Report

Item 7 Finance and Audit Committee Report

The university president may recommend to the Board of Trustees that an organization meeting the requirements of Section 1004.28(1) (a), F.S. become a direct support organization (DSO). Upon approval by the Board, a DSO shall be considered to be certified and authorized to use the property, facilities and personal services of the University to the extent to be set forth in an agreement between the Board and the organization.

The State Board of Education may approve the issuance of revenue bonds or other forms of indebtedness by a DSO when such revenue bonds or other forms of indebtedness are used to finance or refinance capital projects that are to provide facilities necessary and desirable to serve the needs and purposes of the university, as determined by the system-wide strategic plan adopted by the State Board of Education, and when the project has been approved by the Legislature according to Section 1010.60(2), F.S.

Florida’s public universities are somewhat unique in that they do not have authority to issue bonds directly. Historically, academic facilities improvements have been funded by the state’s issuance of Public Education Capital Outlay Bonds (PECO Bonds), and by leveraging student building and capital improvement fees. Other student service facilities including residence halls, student unions, athletic facilities, parking and research facilities have been funded with debt issued through DSOs and secured primarily by a single or specific revenue source.

As a result, the University seeks approval to create a DSO corporation to serve as a financing corporation for the University’s capital needs. This will create a bond financing structure that is consistent with the spirit and intent of devolution, reduce the University’s reliance on the state for capital projects funding, minimize capital financing costs, and maximize financing flexibility. Accordingly, the Board is asked to certify the University of North Florida Financing Corporation and approve the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for the DSO and authorize the President to file the Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.

On July 21, 2005, the Florida Board of Governors adopted a new university regulation development process. Under the new process, there will no longer be promulgation of rules. The Florida Board of Governors has approved the “Regulation Development Procedure for State University Boards of Trustees” for the processing and adoption of university regulations (formerly rules). When a new regulation is proposed or an existing regulation is revised or repealed, it will be announced by way of the Campus Update and electronically posted via the University website. There will be a 14 day opportunity for comments. All University regulations will require approval by the full Board for adoption. Select regulations are regulations that include: tuition and fees, admissions, and articulation, which require approval by the Board of Governors.

The former traffic and parking regulation considered both subject matters as part of the same regulation. The newly proposed regulations set forth current language to distinguish the two subject matters and ensure that the regulations are consistent with University policy and procedures.

The regulations are being presented to the Finance and Audit Committee for review and recommendation to the full Board. The regulations will be effective immediately upon approval by the Board of Trustees.

On July 21, 2005, the Florida Board of Governors adopted a new university regulation development process. Under the new process, there will no longer be promulgation of rules. The Florida Board of Governors has approved the “Regulation Development Procedure for State University Boards of Trustees” for the processing and adoption of university regulations (formerly rules). When a new regulation is proposed or an existing regulation is revised or repealed, it will be announced by way of the Campus Update and electronically posted via the University website. There will be a 14 day opportunity for comments. All University regulations will require approval by the full Board for adoption. Select regulations are regulations that include: tuition and fees, admissions, and articulation, which require approval by the Board of Governors.

The new tuition regulations are being presented by the Finance and Audit Committee for approval by the full Board. After the full Board of Trustees has voted to adopt the select regulations (tuition and fee regulations) and the Board of Trustees has provided copies to the Board of Governors, the select regulations will become effective upon the Board of Governors’ approval or 60 days after being provided to the Board of Governors, whichever occurs first.

This Tuition and Fees regulation includes tuition and out-of-state fees, student fees, on-campus housing rates and the child development center rates previously approved by the Board of Trustees. It also incorporates the miscellaneous fees approved by the President in accord with the delegation provided him by the Board of Trustees. The new regulation recognizes the role of the Board of Trustees in setting tuition and the various fees named. The regulation also recognizes the State’s contributions to approve childcare.

Approval of this regulation also repeals the old Tuition and Fees rule previously published as Chapter 6C9-8 in the Administrative Code.

Each year the Board of Trustees must review the audit conducted on UNF’s direct support organization, the University of North Florida Training and Service Institute. This audit has been reviewed by the TSI board and Board of Trustees Finance and Audit Committee. It comes from the FAC to the full Board for its review.

Each year the Board of Trustees must review the audit conducted on UNF’s direct support organization, the University of North Florida Foundation. This audit has been reviewed by the board and appropriate committee of the Foundation. It has also been reviewed by the Finance and Audit committee of the Board of Trustees.

Item 8 Educational Policy Committee Report

The Office of Graduate Studies and the University’s Graduate Council propose a name change for the Office. Upon approval of their recommendation the Office of Graduate Studies would become the Graduate School of the University of North Florida. This proposal recognizes the growth in responsibility assumed by this office and is consistent with the nomenclature used on other SUS campuses. The proposal has been vetted through and is supported by the graduate faculty, the academic deans, and the university administration.

No new positions or additional financial support is required for this change in name.

Attached is a recommended policy on tuition waivers. This policy has been vetted by the Associate Vice Presidents, the University’s constituent groups, the academic deans, and the Executive Staff. It is being presented by the Educational Policy Committee for approval to the full Board, in compliance with the BOG’s policy.

The State universities are statutorily required to develop a ten-year Campus Master Plan depicting the physical development of the campus. Every five years the Plan is updated reflecting the ten-year look ahead.

This 2005-2015 update began in April 2004 with a presentation to the Board of Trustees at a Planning Workshop. During the following months, planning sessions were held to address major projects. These included focus groups involving a broad based group of students, faculty, and staff. In March 2005 presentations were made to both of the BOT’s standing committees. Following these presentations, the University held open hearings on and sought agency review of the proposed Master Plan.

The University now brings the plan to the BOT for final review and approval.

In accordance with Board discussions, proposed revised bylaws which have already been reviewed by both standing committees are being presented to the full Board for approval. Proposed changes to the bylaws include: a) an updated description of the Chair’s duties; b) elimination of references to an annual meeting; c) a shift in the timing of the election of officers from July to January; and d) a statement about the composition of the Finance and Audit Committee membership consistent with recommendations of the Board’s Finance and Audit Committee. The revised bylaws are attached.